Meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid.



A. R. DODGE.

METER FOR MEASURING THE FLOW OF AN ELASTIG FLUID.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1906.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

/m/emof/ A. R. DODGE.

METER FOB. MEASURING THE FLOW OF AN ELASTIC FLUID.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1906.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

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@Z l A@ l f f f f f f l f A. R. DODGE.

METER FOR MEASURING THE PLOW OF AN ELASTIC FLUID.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1906. 1,087,929. Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

49 fvg@ fa Pfg/0 0M Awe/m .0009@ mem. 50M

A. R. DODGE. METER POR MEASURING THE FLOW OF AN ELASTIC FLUID.APPLICATION FILED 1011.13.1906.

1,087,929. Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4. 95 "mum UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUSTIN R. DODGE, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO GENERAL ELECTRICCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

Application led November 13, 1906. Serial No. 343,197.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUsTiN R. DODGE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Meters for Measuring theFlow of an Elastic Fluid, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to steam engineering, and its object is to enableone to accurately measure t-he weight of steam or gas flowing through amain.

In making tests of boilers and engines, in keeping track of expenses inpower-stations, in ldetermining the loss in pipe systems for power andheating purposes, and in many other situations, it is essential. toascertain the pounds of steam or gas flowing per unit of time at somepredetermined point in the supply pipes. It has been found by experimentthat the velocity of steam in a pipe is constant over about eighty percent. of the cross-section of the pipe. With a pipe of a givencross-section, and steam of a given pressure and density, the quantitypassing in a given time is a function of the velocity of the flow.

My invention aims to indicate the velocity at each and every instant,whereby the quantity can be easily determined. This renders theinstrument independent of the size of the main, because it is notnecessary to pass all the steam through the meter.

The invention consists in a gage of novel construction, and comprising,broadly speaking, a U-shaped tube containing liquid and arranged inshunt to the main, said tube being inclined at an angle to thehorizontal to multipl the deflections, and opening into the main t roughwhich the fluid to be measured is fiowing. In order to further increasethe deflections, the ends of said tube are connected with small nozzleslocated in the main, one of whichv serves t0 convert the velocity of aportion of the fluid column into pressure, while the other causes anejector action which tends to reduce the pressure head at one of theorifices of the tube. The displacement of the liquid indicates thedifference in pressure in the two tubes, and consequently, the velocitand quantit of the steam flowing throug the pipe. I ave found with acertain relation of the nozzles that the flow varies as the 2.6 root ofthe pressure. I have found mercury to be a satisfactory liquid to use inthe U-shaped tube when the meter is used for measuring steam flow,because it will not mix with water and causes little or no friction inmoving, but other liquids can be used for this purpose. Where the meteris used for measuring the flow of a gas in a main, as for illuminatingpurposes, I may use water as the liquid to give the indications. Whenmercury is used as the indicating medium, provision is made for keepinga body of water above and in contact with the mercury to more sharplydefine the meniscus and thereby facilitate readings, and for maintainingthe water level always the same in each leg of the tube. In order toavoid blowing the mercury or other fluid out of the tube and also theliquid used to sharpen the meniscus, a throttling valve is applied tothe gage tube, and the steam valves are interlocked with it so that theycannot be opened except when the tlirottlin valve is closed. Theinstrument can be adjusted to give correct readings for different steampressures, superheats and moisture. The details of construction will beelaborated in the full description given below.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of myimproved meter, partly broken away; Fig. 2 1s a top plan view; Fig. 3 isa plan, partly in section, of the upper head of the frame, showing theupper ends of the gage tube with the valve chest removed; Fig. 4 is alongitudinal section of the double valve; Fig. 5 is a plan, partly insection, of the lower head of the frame, showing the bight of theU-shaped gage tube, and the throttling valve therefor; Fig. 6 is asection of the scale-bearing cylinder and its adjusting devices; Fig. 7is a sectional view of the adjustable index; Fig. 8 is a side elevationof the same; Fig. 9 is an end view of the meter, partly in section; Fig.10 is a section of the steam main and the nozzles; Fig. 11 is across-section on the line 11-11, Fig. .1; Fig. 12 is a section throughthe valve chest, water-chamber and tube section; Fig. 13 is an elevationof the entire meter; Fig. 14 is a detail View showing in section thepreferred arrangement of the parts forming the nozzle working on theejector principle; Fig. 15 is a curve showing the pressure conditions inthe ejector nozzle of the previous figure; Fig. 16 1s an end viewshowing independently adjustable valves controlling the admission ofpressure to the U-tube; Fig. 17 is a plan view of the same showing theinterlockin arrangement with the throttle valve; Fig. 18 is a developedview of the scale adapted to be mounted on the adjustable cylinder togive the readings in pounds per unit of time; Fig. 19 is a section onthe line 19,-19 of Fig. 14 looking in the direction of the arrow; andFig. 20 is a section on the line 20-20 of Fig. 10 looking in thedirection of the arrow adjacent said section line.

The instrument is laced in any convenient position and pre erably lowerthan the pipe l through which is passing the steam or other elasticfluid whose amount is to be measured. The size of the pipe isimmaterial, as the same meter can be used for diierent sizes of steammains by a suitable change in the scale or by making proper allowancesin the readings. The object of placing the meter below thc point ofattach ment to the pipe is to insure the draining ot the supply pipes,provision being made for the escape of water of condensation. It is tobe noted that the main steam pipe is not throttled as in other types ofmeters and while the nozzles connected to the U-tube a pear to be largewith respect to the Ainside diameter of the main, they are not soinfact. For the purpose of illustration I have shown the nozzles somewhatenlarged and the main broken away.

The pipes 2 and 3 connecting the meter with the main 1 are inserted intothe main through steam-tight joints, preferably consisting of screwplugs 4:, Fig. 10, which are provided with packing 5 and glands 6 so asto serve as stuiing boxes. On the inner end of the pipe 2 is a smallnozzle 7 preferably flaring in shape, with its mouth open toward thecolumn of steam and transverse thereto. I may make this inlet nozzle 7in a variety of ways, the one shown giving satisfactory results inactual service. A certain predetermined and small portion of the steamis interce ted by this nozzle and the velocity head of t ie steam ischanged into a pressure head which causes a deflection of the mercury orother column. The inner end of the pipe 3 is also provided with a nozzlewhich produces an increased velocity of the steam past the end of saidpipe and thus causes a suction therein which exerts its effect upon theother end of the mercury column, and tends to increase its deection.This suction or outlet nozzle preferably consists of a truncated conicaltube 9 open at both ends, with the small end presented toward theapproaching steam. Inside the tube 9 is a cone 10 which is fixed inposition, aft-er being adjusted for purposes of calibration orotherwise. The nozzle is surrounded by a cylindrical pipe 11, having alarger effective cross-section at 12 than at'13. As a result thevelocity at 13 tends to increase, thereby causing an ejector act-ion atthe discharge of the nozzle 9. The expansion ratio of nozzle 9, t'. e.,the ratio of admission area to discharge area is such that the steam isoverexpanded 'in such a manner as to give a pressure curve similar toFig. 15. The conlneet-ion to pipe 3 is made at the point 8 of minimumpressure. For the purpose of illustration, I have shown in Fig. l5 apressure curve of the suction nozzle based on certain tests made by me,but it is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed asbeing limited to those or to any other specific pressures. The line 85represents the pressure of the steam in the main,

which in the present case is .175 pounds absolute. While passing throughthe nozzle the pressure is decreased, as at 86, to 174 pounds absolute,due to the over-conipounding of the nozzle, and at this point the pipe 3is connected. As the steam flows through the pipe or shield l1 aroundthe nozzle 9, it causes a drop in pressure at the discharge end of thenozzle due to the ejector action of the parts. This difference inpressure is indicated in Fig. 15, wherein 86 represents the minimumpressure, 87 the pressure at the end ofthe nozzle 9 and 88 the pressureof the main beyond the nozzle.

In Fig. 11 is shown a nozzle that I have found to give excellentresults. It comprises a truncated cone 9 containing a smaller cone 10eccentrically disposed therein and resting on the bottom. The inner conecan be made adjustable or not as desired, since changing its positionchanges the expansion ratio. To obtain the best results I have found itdesirable to connect the tube 3 so that the pressure therein willcorrespond with that of point 86 of Fig. 15.

Turning now to the instrument proper, it comprises a base 12, Fig. 1, onwhich is a standard 13 to which is hinged at one end a bed-plate 14. Theother end of the bedplate is supported on posts 15 which consist of twoparts screwed together to render the post adjustable in length, so thatthe bedplate can be inclined at a desired angle with the base-preferablyaboutl ten degrees to the horizontal. I may, however, incline thebed-plate at any other suitable angle u to ninety degrees. At each endof the edplate is secured a head 16-17, and side plates 18 of sheetmetal are attached to the heads and the bed-plate. The gage tubecontaining the mercury is composed of two sections or lengths of heavyglass tubing 19-20 arranged parallel with each other and supported ateach end in the heads, the

lower head 17 containing a passage 21 con- `spect to the bore of theU-tube,

vice the water would introduce necting the tube sections at that end, sothat it forms substantially a U-shaped structure. The tubes are soarranged that they can readily he removed by taking off the caps 30 andloosening the packings, and this .without disturbing any other portionof the meter. The advantages of such a construction are many, chiefamong them being the ease with which a tube can be removed and cleanedor a new tube inserted. The bore of the U-tube is made small and allpockets or enlargements in the connecting passage are perfectly avoidedso that the total volume of mercury will be small and errors due toexpansion and contraction of the mercury can be disregarded. The tubesare parallel, as I have found such an arrangement to be satisfactory,but they can be disposed in other than parallel relation. The legs ofthe U are connected respectively with the pipes 2, 3, preferably in themanner now to be described.

The pipes 2, 3 enter the top of a valve chest 22 fastened upon the upperhead 16, and containing a double or multiple valve 23 which controlsboth pipes simultaneously. This valve may be a rotary plug valve havingtwo diametrical through ports 24, Figs. 4 and 12, in the same axialplane. Lateral ports 25 at right angles to the ports 24 make theconstruction that of two three-way plug valves on the same stem 26. Thetwo end portions constituting the three-Way plug valves areinterconnected by a central portion o-f reduced section and each endvalve controls a separate conduit. Exhaust ports 27 are provided in thewall. of the valve chest to permit the pipes 2, 3 to be blown out whendesired. Ports 28, Fig. 12, in line with the ports 24, connect the pipes2, 3 with chambers or reservoirs 29 in the upper head 16 into which theupper ends of the tube sections enter. rI`he chambers preferably extendout through the upper side of the head 16 where they are provided withremovable closures, preferably screw caps 30 fitting upon screw-threadednecks 31 projecting from the head 16. The chambers or reservoirs 29 arepreferably made large with reso that there will be no appreciable changein head of the water therein due to movements of the mercury. Withoutthis or some equivalent dea slight error'in the reading The tubesections, where they enter the head 16, are surrounded by packing 32,preferably held by glands 33 and nuts 34 in nipples 35 formed on thehead 16. Each chamber or reservoir 29 has an overow duct 36, Fig. 3,drilled in a lug 37 on the end of the head 16 and provided with aregulating valve, such as the screw-plug 38 tapped into said lug. i

The lower ends of the gage tube sections are secured to the lower head17 by nipples 39, Fig. 5, packing 40, glands 41 and nuts 42. similar tothe construction at the upper ends. 'lhe passage 21 in the lower head 17which connects the bores of the gage tubes is cont-rolled by athrottling valve consisting preferably of a reciprocating valve 43having a screw-threaded stem 44 tapped into a hole drilled in the head17 and intersecting the passage 21. The stem is provided with packing 45located in a nipple 4G on said head and compressed by a gland 47 and anut 48. A handwheel 49 is provided for operating the valve. When themeter is used in connection with a rapidly fluctuating steam supply, asfor example, the exhaust from rolling mill engines, the throttle valveacts primarily as a damper to prevent the column of mercury from surgingbacxk and forth but permits the column to move steadily to-or-t'ro asthe conditions change. It is practically impossible to `shut the endvalves at the same instant and permit the pressures in the tubes to dieout equally, or to open them simultaneously, and so means are providedto insure the proper working. Since a di'erence of one pound inpressures on the two branches of the tube will throw the mercuryentirely out of the said tube, the multiple steam valve 23 is Inade toopen and close both the pipes 2 3 at exactly the same instant. As aprecautionary measure. however, a device is provided for compelling thethrottling valve 43 to be closed before the multiple steam valve isoperated, so as to prevent accident in case steam should happen to enterone leg of the tube in advance of the other. This end is accomplished byinterlocking the steam valve and t-he throttling valve in such mannerthat the former cannot be opened until after the latter is closed. Amechanism suitable for accomplishing this result comprisesa disk orcollar 50, Figs. 1, 2 and 5, on the stem of the throttling valvecontaining a socket 51 which. when said valve is shut, comes in linewith one end of a rod 52 sliding in bearings 53 on one of theside-plates. The other end of the rod is urged by a spring 54 against adisk 55, Fig. 1,on the stem of the steam valve. Said disk is notched at56 leaving between said notches a long cylindrical surface 57 and ashort cylindrical surface 58. In Fig. 1 the throttling valve is closed,and the steam valve is supposed to have been ust opened by turning itshandle 59, in the direction of the arrow. The long surface 57 has beenmoved out of the path of the rod 52, whose spring has pulled it to theright into the notch 56, and withdrawn its cther end from the socket inthe collar 50. thus unlocking the throttling valve so that it can beopened to permit the instrument to operate. But before the steam valvecan be turned in either direction. (one Way to shut off the 'steam,=andthe other to conneet the steam pipe with the exhaust ports), thethrottling valve must be closed, and the locking rod drawn back topermit either the long surface 57 or the short surface 58 to pass by theend of the rod.

I'Vhen the meter is in operation, the water of condensation collects inthe tube sections above the mercury and fills the chambers 29 up to thelevel of the overflow ducts 36, through which the excess of water drainsoit', accompanied by a constant escape of steam in small quantities. Thedifference between the lengths of the water columns is always the sameas that between the mercury columns, provided the water is always at thelevel of the overflow ducts. The instrument therefore functions as' thesum of two gages; one a mercury gage and the other a water gage. Thecolumn of water resting on the mercur column fiattens the meniscus andby its act1on on the rays of light causes the separating surface to besharply defined, thus enabling very accurate readings to be made.. Thebody of water in the chambers 29, in addition to functioning as abovedescribed, serves to lubricate the walls of the bore and prevent themercury from clinging thereto.

On each tube section is a marker, comprising a sliding sleeve having acutaway portion spanned by a thin transverse bridge which can be set tocoincide with the end of the mercury column. The sleeve 60, Figs. 1 and2, on the pressure side of the meter is attached to a plate (il which isengaged by the lower end of a cylinder G2 carrying the graduated scalefor giving the readings. The scale is shown developed in Fig, 18. Thelines extending diagonally across the scale substantially followlogarithmic curves and are ascertained by calculation, by test, or both.To assist in the reading of the instrument, certain of these lines aremade heavier than the others. These lines are marked with the number ofpounds of steam flowing per unit of time, as for example: 4000, 4500,5000, etc., intermediate values being ascertained by the interveninglines. The position of the cylinder 62 determines what portion of anygiven line will coincide with the end of the adjustable pointer.Irrespective of the pressure in the main a change of 14 degrees intemperature with less than one hundred degrees superheat causes a changeof one per cent. in the deflection of the mercury column, the flow andpressure remaining constant. If the superheat is increased to onehundred degrees or more, I find that a change of thirteen degrees intemperature causes a change of one per cent. in the deflection of themercury g column. To correct for varying superheat over the range of themeter, the empirical curves on the scale, Fig. 18, are so plotted thatthey are just enough closer on the righthand or high-pressure side ofthe scale than on the left-hand or low-pressure side of the scale tocompensate for said variations.

The sleeve 63 is attached to a carriage 64 sliding on a bar 65 securedto the adjacent side-plate. The under side of the bar is a rack, withwhich meshes a pinion 66, Fig. 7, on au arbor 67 journaled in thecarriage and provided with a milled hand-Wheel 68. A. flat spring 69 isattached to the carriage and rests on top of the bar to retain thecarriage by friction at any point to which it may be moved by turningthe wheel 68. The carriage has an index or pointer 70 extending over thecylinder 62. By sliding the cylinder down until the bridge 71 of themarker 60 registers with the low end of the mercury column, and ruimingup the carriage 64 until the bridge of its marker registers with thehigh end of said column in the sight tube 20, the index will then give areading on the scale, Fig. 18, corresponding to the flow of steamthrough the main, the scale having been adjusted for superheat andpressure as subsequently described. In order to slide the cylinderlengthwise, suitable mechanism is provided, preferably as follows :-Thecylinder is guided at its upper end in a cylindrical hole in the head16. The lower end is splined upon a spindle, preferably a tube 72 fixedat one end in the lower head 17. A shaft 73 extends through said tubeand has near its upper end a transverse pin 74, Fig. G. whose projectingends engage with a helical rib 75 on the inside of the cylinder. lVhenthe shaft is rotated by means of its head 76, the pin, acting upon therib, causes the cylinder to slide lengthwise, but without rotating.

In order t0 get the proper readings for various degrees of superheat andpressure, the cylinder is made rotatable, preferably by mounting thetube 72 in a bearing 77 in the lower head 17, and the tube 72 isprovided with a graduated index wheel 78 rotating adjacent to a fixedgraduated segment 79. A clamping screw 80 passes through a slot 81 insaid wheel concentric with its axis. The wheel is graduated for steampressure and the segment for degrees of superheat. It may, however, begraduated for temperature. By observing these factors, as indicated bysuitable gages connected with the steam main, such as the steam pressuregage 102, Fig. 13, and then bringing the corresponding number on theindex Wheel and segment into coincidence, the correct flow readings forthat pressure and superheat will be given by the cylinder.

In order to eliminate errors due to improper leveling of theinstruments, which would materially affect the readings, two j levels82, 83, Figs. 1 and 2, are arranged on g the frame at right angles toeach other. i Since a slight difference in level of the tubes lcan berefilled without the necessity of exerwould mean a difference in headbetween the columns, the importance of having properly leveled tubes isapparent. The mercury is introduced into the gage i tube by removing oneof the screw caps 30 i and inserting a funnel through the chamber l 29.Access to the tubes for the purpose of cleaning them can be had in thesame way.

By using straight tube sections the cost of renewals in case of breakageis reduced to a minimum. The mercury is not subject to oxidation, as itis always covered by a body of water which does not change. Hence theaccuracy of the meter is not impaired by long service. The quantity ofmercury in the tube Q1 is so small that the instrument does not requiretemperature corrections. Since the reading indicates the difference inthe heights of the two columns of mercury, and is not wholly dependenton the actual quantity of mercury in the gage, the tube cising greatcare in putting in exactly the same quantity as before. IVith tendegrees inclination of the gage tube from the horizontal, there is fiveor six inches difference in level between the two mercury columns, witha steam flow of 100 feet per second.

It is desirable t0 provide individual valves for shutting off andadmitting elastic fluid to the U-tube so that they can be separatelyadjusted in case of leakage. In Figs. 16 and 17 are shown valves of thisconstruction having a suitable interlocking mechanism be tween them andthe throttle valve at the opposite end of the instrument. 89 representsone of the independently adjustable valves, and 90 the other. Mounted onthe spindle of valve 89 is a disk 91 connected by a rod 92 with a disk93 on the stem of valve 90. The disk 93 has an eccentric bore containingthe eccentric 94 and is inclosed by the eccentric strap 95 so that whenthe ec centric 94 is rotated, as by rotating the valve 89, it will movethe strap in one direction or the other. On the stem of each valve is apin 95 adapted to engage stops at the ends of the travel of the valves.Rotating the valve 89 to the left until the pin 95 strikes the upperstop,y will rotate the eccentric 93 to the right and the latter willmove the eccentric strap to the right, Fig. 16. The stra is pivotallyconnected to the lever 96 Whicii l i l i is carried by the verticalrock-shaft 97. On the lower end of the shaft is formed a crank pivotallysecured to the interlocking rod 98, and on the end of the latter is aframe carl rying oppositcly disposed pins 99 and 100. i On the stem ofthe throttle valve 43 is a disk 101 having oppositely disposed recessesj adapted to receive the pins 99 and 100. From this it follows that themovement of i the eccentric strap referred to will cause the i pin .100to enter the recess oppositecit and lock the throttle valve. Assumingnow that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 16 and it isdesired to move valve 90 and lock the throttle valve: rotating the valvespindle to the left will also rotate the eccentric to the left and movethe outer eccentric 93 about its axis. This results in moving theeccentric strap to the left and the rod 98 causes the pin 99 to enterthe recess opposite it in the disk 101 and lock the throttle valve. Fromthis it follows that before either valve 89 or 90 can be opened thethrottle valve must be in its closed position.

Under certain conditions I may leave olf the pipe or shield 11 but thiswill decrease the deflection of the mercury or other column. I may alsoomit the nozzle 7 under certain conditions. Where the velocity of thefluid in the main is high the importance of the nozzle and shield 11 isnot so great, but where the velocity is low it becomes necessary to usesaid devices or equivalents to obtain the best results.

I have shown a scale arrangement which I have found to be mostsatisfactory in practice, but the invention is not to be construed asspecifically limited thereto unless so stated in the claims because Ihave used other forms of scale arrangements with suecess.

I have shown what I consider to be the best arrangement of parts forreferring the movements of the mercury column to the scale. but avariety of other means may be employed for this purpose, and in thebroader aspects of the invention I aim to include such means in theclaims.

A meter of this character depends for its operation upon very smalldifferences in pressure, and said pressure difference for commercialservice is never more than a fraction of a per cent. of the pressure inthe main. Such being the case, it follows that there must be an absenceof friction to insure accuracy. This I attain by using a column ofmercury and further by lubricating the bore of the tube with water. Asthe mercury column is not called upon to a do any work, it follows thata very small difference in pressure suffices to move the column from oneposition to another. Since the meter is to all intents and purposes freefrom friction, it follows that the readings will be accurate in theextreme.

By the construction employed I am able to dispense wi'th all mechanicalor electrical devices for transmitting the movements of the mercurycolumn to the pointer and scalecarrying drum but in certain of itsaspects my invention is broad enough to include such devices.

I have illustrated in combination with my meter an agent that I havefound suitable in practice for creating a pressure difference which isresponsive to changes in the rate of flow of a fluid passing through amain, but

it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specicform shown, unless so specified in the claims, since other well knownmeans may be employed for the purpose.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I havedescribed the princi le of operation of my invention, together w1th theapparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof;but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is onlyillustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is,-

l. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid in a maincomprising means serving to convert the velocity head of a portion ofthe fluid column in the main into a pressure head which varieswithvariations in the flow of fluid in the main, a scale calibrated interms of the rate of flow, means for indicating on the scale the amountof fluid flowing in the main as determined by said pressure creatingmeans, and means for adjusting the scale and indicating means withrespect to each other to compensate for changes in the condition of thefluid being measured.

2. A meter for measuring the flow of an .elastic fluid flowing in amain, comprising a conduit in shunt to the main between the ends ofwhich a pressure difference is maintained that varies with variations inthe amount of fluid owing in the main, means for indicating thevariations in said pressure difference, and means for adjusting saidindicating means to compensate` for variations in the condition of thefluid being measured, said means including a member calibrated in termsof said condition.

3. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid flowing in a main,comprising a conduit in shunt to the main between the ends of which aressure difference is maintained that varies with variations in theamount of fluid flowing in the main, means for indicating the variationsin said pressure difference, and means for adjusting the indicatingmeans to compensate for variations in pressure of the fluid in the main,said means including a member calibrated in terms of pressure.

4. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid in a main,comprising a conduit between the ends of which a pressure difference ismaintained that varies with variations in the amount of fluid flowing inthe main, means connecting the conduit and the main, means forindicating the variations in said pressure difference, and a device co-Voperating with said indicating means for adjusting 1t to compensate forvariations in temperature of the fluid in said main,said deviceincluding a member calibrated in terms of temperature.

5. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid flowing in a main,comprising a conduit in shunt to the main between the ends of which aressure difference is maintained that varies with variations in theamount of' fluid flowing in the main, means for indicating thevariations in the ressure difference, and means for adjusting t eindicating means to compensate for both temperature and pressure changesof the fluid in the main, said means including members calibrated interms of temperature and pressure. f

6. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid through a main,comprisingV a conduit, means connecting the conduit to the main, acolumn of liquid in the conduit the position of which changes withvariations in the quantity of fluid flowing in the main, adirect-reading scale calibrated in terms of the weight of fluid flowingper unit of time, means for setting the scale for a given condition ofthe fluid, and an indicator which when set to show the position of saidcolumn will indicate on the scale the quantity of fluid in saidcondition flowing in the main.

7. A meter for measuring the flowof an elastic fluid through a main, comrising a con-duit, means connecting the con uit with the main,^a columnof liquid in the conduit the position of which chan s with variations inthe quantity of fluid owing through the main, a. scale suitablycalibrated in terms of the rate of flow, means for changin the positionof the scale relative to the co umn to compensate for variations in thecondition of the fluid being measured, and an indicator which when setto indicate the posit-ion of the column will coperate with the rscale togive thedesired indication.

8. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid through a main,com rising a conduit, means connecting the con uit with the main, acolumn of liquid in the conduit the position of which chan es withvariations in the amount of fluid owing through the main, a direct.reading scale calibrated in terms of the weight of fluid flowing perunit of time under different conditions of the fluid in the main, asecond scale that is calibrated in -terms of a condition of the fluid,means for shifting the relative position of the scales to compensate forvariations in the condition of the fluid being measured, and anindicator which when set to show the position of said column willindicate on the first scale the quantity of fluid flowing through themain.

9. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid in a main,comprising a column of liquid, a container for the column, means forsharply defining the meniscus at the ends of said column, a scalesuitably marked in terms of the rate of flow and arranged adjacent tothe column, means for setting the scale for a given condition of thefluid, and a movable pointer which when moved to register with one endof the column will indicate on the scale Ythe amount of fluid flowing inthe main under said condition.

10. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic Huid comprising aU-shaped body of liquid inclined at an angle to the horizontal,containing means for said body, and a device for adjust-ing theinclination of said means and the body contained therein.

11. A meter for measuring the ow of an elastic Huid comprising aU-shaped column of mercury inclined at an angle to the horizontal, watercolumns on each end of the mercury column, containing means for saidcolumns, and a device for adjusting the inclination of said means andthe contained columns.

1:2. A meter for measuring the ow of an elastic fluid comprising aU-shaped column of mercury inclined at an angle to the horizontal, Watercolumns on each end of the mercury column, means for maintaining saidwater columns at a constant level, containing means for said columns,and a device for varying the inclination of said means and its containedcolumns.

13. A steam flow meter comprising a U- shaped column of liquid, columnsof another liquid on the ends of said U-shaped column, containing meansfor the columns provided with outlets for permitting an overflow of theexcess of the second named liquid from said containing means to maintainthe columns of said liquid at a constant level, and valves controllingthe outlets.

14. A steam low meter comprising a U- shaped column of liquid, acontainer for the column, pipes for conveying pressure to the ends ofsaid column, and means for simultaneously opening and closing saidpipes.

15. A meter for measuring the How of steam through a main, comprising aU- shaped gage tube, a. support for the tube, means for adjusting theposition of the tube on the support to vary its inclination, a column ofliquid in said tube, conduits connecting the ends of the tube to themain, means for creating a pressure difference in said conduits thatvaries with changes in the rate of flow through the main and acts on thecolumn, and a valve for closing said tube below the level of the ends ofthe liquid column.

16. A meter for measuring the flow of steam through a main, comprising aU- shaped gage tube, a support for the tube, means for adjusting theposition of the tube on the support to vary its inclination, a column ofliquid in said tube, conduits connecting the ends of the tube with themain,

means for creating a pressure diference in the conduits which varieswith changes in the rate of flow through the main and acts on thecolumn, a device for damping the movement of the column in the tube, andvalves for controlling the communication be tween the main and saidtube.

17. A steam flow meter comprising a U- shaped gage tube, a throttlingvalve for said tube, and valves for controlling the iiow of steam to theends of said tube, devices for opening and closing said valves, andmeans for interlocking said devices to control their relative movement.

18. A steam flow meter comprising a U- shaped gage-tube, a throttlingvalve for said tube, and valves for controlling the How of steam to theends of said tube, devices for opening and closing the throttling andsteam valves, and means for controlling the operation of said deviceswhich prevents the opening of the steam-valve unless the throttlingvalve is closed.

19. A steam flow meter comprising a base, a bed-plate pivoted thereto, aU-shaped gagetube mounted on said bedplate, and means for adjusting saidbedplate about the pivot at an angle to the horizontal.

20. A steam flow meter comprising a bedplate mounted at an angle to thehorizontal, heads on said bedplate, and gage-tube sections extendingbetween and supported by said heads, the lower one of which has apassage connecting the tube sections.

21. A steam fiow meter comprising a bedplate mounted at an angle to thehorizontal, heads on said bedplate, and gage-tube sections extendingbetween and supported by said heads, the lower one of which has apassage connecting the tube sections, and a thi'ottling valve on saidhead controlling said passage.

22. A steam ow meter comprising a bedplate mounted at an angle to thehorizontal, heads on said bedplate, gage-tube sections extending betweenand supported by said heads, a valve-chest mounted on the upper head,and a multiple valve for simultaneously controlling the flow of steam tothe upper ends of said tube sections,

23. A steam flow meter comprising a head containing chambers, gage-tubesections entering said chambers, overfiow ducts leading from saidchambers. and means tor conveying steam to said chambers.

24. A steam ow meter comprising a head containing chambers opening atthe upper end and having' overflow ducts, closuresfor the ends of saidchambers, gage-tube sections entering the lower ends of said chambers.and steam ports in the upper side of said chambers.

25. A steam How meter comprising a head containing chambers havingoveriow ducts, a rotary multiple valve controlling the admission ofsteam to both chambers, and gage-tube sections entering the lower endsof said chambers.

26. A steam iow meter comprising upper and lower heads, gage-tubesections connecting said heads, the lower one of whlch has a passaconnecting said tubes, a throttling valve or said passage, a multiplevalve controlling the admission of steam to said tube-sections, a rodfor locking said steam valve, and means carried by the throttling valvefor controlling the movement of said rod.

27. A steam flow meter comprisinga U- shaped mercury tube, meansconnecting' the ends of the tube 'with the Steam ma1na scale calibratedin terms of the rate ot fiow throu h the main, said scale being movablelengt wise and carrying a marker to register with the lower end of themercury c umn, and an adjustable index to mark the upper end of saidcolumn and to give the reading on said scale when its marker is inregister with the other end of the column.

28. A steam flow meter comprising a U- 'shaped mercury tube, meansconnecting the tube with the steam main, a cylindrical scale movablelengthwise and rotatable, markers adjustable along both legs of themercury column, and an index on one marker coperating with thecylindrical scale.

29. A Steam low lneter comprising a U- shaped mercury tube, meansconnecting the tube `with the steam main, a cylindrical scale adjacentthe tube `for determining the floviy from the relative position of themercury in the branches of the tube, said scale being adjustablelengthwise and angularly, and means for adjusting said scale tocompensate for pressure and superheat.

30. A steam flow meter comprising a U- shaped mercury tube, meansconnecting the tube with the steam main, a rotatable spindle adjacentthe tube, a cylindrical scale for determining the flow from the relativeposition of the mercury in the branches of the tube, said scale beingsplined on the spindle, and means for moving said scale lengthwise.

31. A steam flow meter comprising a U- shaped mercury tube, meansconnecting the mercury tube with the steam main, a tube adjacent themercury tube, a cylindrical scale splined on the last mentioned tube,ahelical rib in said scale, a shaft in said tube engaging with said ribto move the cylinder lengthwise, and coperating scales carried by thetube and the frame of the meter, whereby said cylindrical scale can beadjusted angularly for superheat and pressure.

32. A nozzle for a steam How meter comprising a tubular truncated conehaving entrance-and discharge ends, and a cone inside thereof, the apexof the cone bein 1ocated adjacent the nozzle entrance an its baseadjacent the discharge end of the nozzle.

33. A nozzle for a steam flow meter comprising a tubular truncated cone,a cone inside thereof, and a cylindrical inclosure for said cones.

34. A nozzle for a steam flow meter comprising a tubular truncated cone,a cone inside thereof, a cylindrical inclosure for said cones, and atube connected with said tubular cone near the base thereof.

Y 35. A meter for measuring the iow of an elastic fluid through a main,comprising a conduit containing a column of liquid, means connecting theconduit with the main 'so that the position of the column changes withvariations in the flow of fluid through the main, said means havingvalves for controlling the communication between the main and theconduit, a throttle valve in the conduit, and interlocking means betweenthe valves.

36. A meter for measuring the flow of a elastic Huid in a maincomprising a conduit containingY a column of liquid, means connectingtie conduit with the main so that the position of the column changeswith variations in the flow of fluid in the main, and a nozzle for oneend of said conduit which includes a member forming a truncated cone anda second conical member inside of the first and eccentrically arranged.

37. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid in a main,comprising conduits connecting the meter in shunt to the main, means forcreating a pressure difference in said conduits which varies withvariations in the rate of flow of the fiuid being measured, a scalehaving logarithmic curves thereon to indicate the How of fluid in themain, and an indicating device coperating with the scale and said means.

38. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid in a conduit,comprising means containing a column of liquid, means connecting thecontaining means with the conduit so that the ends of the column aresubjected to the pressure in the conduit, and an expansion nozzleconnected to the containing means so as to be in communication with oneend of said column.

39. A meter for measuring the -flow of an elastic 'luid through a main,comprising means containing a column of liquid, means connecting thecontaining means with the main so that `the position ofthe columnchanges with variations in the flow of the fluid in the main` a scalehaving logarithmic curves plotted thereon which are closer together onone portion of the scale than 011 another to compensate for changes inthe condition of the fluid being metered, a movable pointer which whenset to register with one end of the liquid column will extend over thecurves on the scale, and means for adjusting the scale and pointer withrespect to each other.

40. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid through a main,comprising a column of liquid, a container for said column, meansconnecting the container with the main so that the position of'thecolumn changes with variations in the flow of the fluid throu h themain, means for determining from t e position of the column. the amountof fluid flowing, a damper acting on the column to revent oscillationsdue to sudden lchan es 1n flow in the main, and means for angu arlyadjusting the container.

41. A meter for measuring the flow of an elastic fluid in a maincomprising a tube containing a column of liquid the ends of which openin the same general direction, means connecting the tube with the mainso that the position of the column changes with variations in flow inthe main, means for leveling the tube so that the side portions Willoccupy the same plane to prevent a difference in head, and indicatingmeans including a scale and pointer.

42. A meter for measuring the flow of fluid through a main, comprising aconduit in shunt to the main, a column of liquid in the conduit, meansfor creating a pressure difference on the ends of the column that varieswith variations in the quantity of fluid flowing through the main, ascale adjacent to the column that is calibrated in terms of the rate offlow, a second scalo that is calibrated in terms of a condition of thefluid, and means for adjusting the first scale relative to the second tocompensate for variation in the condition of the fluid.

43. In a meter, the combination of an agentfor creating a presuredifference in the fluid to be metered that bears a definite relation tothe rate of flow through the main, a scale calibrated in terms of therate of flow, means for indicating on the scale the amount of fluidflowing as determined by said agent, and means for adjusting the scaleand indicating means with respect to each other to compensate forchanges in the condition of the fluid being metered, said meansincluding a member calibrated in terms of said condition.

44. In a meter, the combination of an agent for creating a pressuredifference in the fluid t-o be metered that bea-rs a definite relationto the rate of flow through the main, a U-tube containing a column ofliquid, means connecting the tube to the agent so that said pressuredifference acts on the ends of the column, a scale arranged between thebranches of the tube. means for moving the scale longitudinally of saidbranches, a marker mounted on one of the branches, mea-ns connecti themarker to the scale to move therewilt as marker mounted on the otherbrancl,l and means. for moving the last marker 'ong saidi branch@A 45.In a meter, the combination of an agent for creating a. ressuredifference in the fluid to be metere that bears a definite relation totlie rate of flow through the main a U-tube Ycontaining' a column ofliquid, means connecting the tube to the agent so that said pressuredifference acts on the ends of the column, a rotatably and slidablymounted scale arranged between the branches of the tube, means formoving the scale longitudinally of said branches, a`

marker mounted on one of the branches, means connecting the marker tothe scale to move therewith, a marker mounted on the other branch, adevice for moving the last marker along said branch` and means forrotating the scale to compensate for variations in the condition of thefluid being metered.

46. In a fluid meter, the combination of members that enter the maincontaining the fluid to be metered and are acted upon by the fluid in amanner to create a pressure diierence that bears a definite relation tothe rate of flow thereof. a fluid container, means connecting the agentand container in a manner to cause said pressure difference to displacethe fluid from one portion of the container to another, a calibratedscale that is angularly adjustable to compensate for changes in pressureof the fluid being metered, and a pointer which projects in front of thescale and is adjustable in a direction parallel thereto.

47. In a fluid meter, the combination of members that are acted upon bythe fluid to be metered in a manner to create a pressure difference thatbears a definiterelation to the rate of flow thereof, a fluid container,one portion of which comprises a transparent tube, means connecting themembers and container in a manner to cause a change in said pressuredifference to vary the height of the fluid in said tube, a scale whichis calibrated in terms of the rate of flow and is angularly adjustableto compensate for a change in condition of the fluid being metered, anda pointer which extends over the face of the scale and the transparenttube and "is adjustable in a plane parallel thereto to facilitate acomparison between the height of fluid in the tube and the markings onthe scale.

48. In a fluid meter, the combination of a transparent tube, a containerhaving connected chambers adapted to contain fluid, one of said chambersbeing formed in the transparent tube, a, calibrated cylindrical scalethat extends parallel with the tube, a support for the scale on which itis angulurly adjustable to compensate for a change in condition of the{lud'being metered, and u pointer which extends over said tube and scalenud is movable longitudinally with respect thereto t0 facilitate acomparison between the height of the fluid in the tube and the markingson the scale.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day ofNovember, 1906.

AUSTIN R; DODGE. Witnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN ORFoRD.

Corrections in Letters Patent No. l,087,929.

tween the height of the fluid in the tube and the markings on the scale.

In iwitness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 12th day ofNovember, 1906.

AUSTIN R; DODGE.

transparent tube, a calibrated cylindrical scale that extends parallelwith the tube, a support for the scale on which it 1s angularlyadjustable to compensate for a change in condition of the {luidbeingmetered, and a pointer which extends over said tube and scale and ismovable longitudinally vvith respect thereto to facilitate a comparlsonbe- Vlitnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN ORFORD.

lt is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,087,929, granted Febru'arny 24,

19H, npon the application of Austin R.. Dodge, of Schenectady, New York,for a'n improvement in Meters for Measuring the Flow of an ElasticFluid, errors appear in the printed specitioation requiring correctionas follows: Page 2, line 83, .for the word those" read More; page 3,line 13, for the word perfectly read preferobli/ and that the saidLetters Patent should be read with these corrections tlxoroin that thesame may conform to the record of the ease in the .Patent Oiiice.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of Mal-oli` A. D., lfllel. I

[SEAL] J. T. N EWFON,

Act/ng C'o'lmn'iss'ioner of Patents.

lt. is hereby certified that in Letters Patentl No. LDSIJJZQ, giantedFebruary 24.

11114, upon the. application of Austin R. Dodge, of Schenectady, NewYork. for an improvement in Meters for Measuring the Flow of an ElasticFluid, errors appear' in the printed spccitir-ntion requiring oorroctionas follows: Pago 2, line 83, for the word tl1osc" road llt/1w; page 3,lino 13, for the wor "perfectly" read prqferfrbly.' and that the saidLetten-1 Patent should be read with these corrections thnx-rein that.the salme may conform to the record of the use in the Patent Oice.

Signed und senlnd this 24th day of March` A. D.` |914.

[sm l..

.1. T. NEiNmN,

Acting C'mnmissioncr of Patents.

